Family
Medicine is the medical specialty which
provides continuing, comprehensive health care for the individual and
family. It is a specialty in breadth that integrates the biological, clinical
and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine encompasses all
ages, both sexes, each organ system and every disease entity.

Family
Medicine is a three-dimensional specialty, incorporating (1)
knowledge, (2) skill and (3) process. Although knowledge and
skill may be shared with other specialties, the family medicine
process is unique. At the center of this process is the
patient-physician relationship with the patient viewed in the context
of the family. It is the extent to which this relationship is valued,
developed, nurtured and maintained that distinguishes family practice
from all other specialties.

The Family Medicine physician's care is both personal and comprehensive and not
limited by age, sex, organ system or type of problem, be it
biological, behavioral or social. This care is based on knowledge of
the patient in the context of the family
and the community,
emphasizing disease prevention and health promotion. When referral is
indicated, the family physician refers
the patient to other
specialists or caregivers but remains the coordinator of the
patientís health care. This prevents fragmentation of that care
in
both the outpatient and inpatient settings. The family physician
serves as the patientís advocate in dealing with other medical
professionals, third party payers, employers and others and as such is
a cost-effective coordinator of the patientís health services.
Our group of Family Medicine physicians and practitioners includes: